Is a New Golden Age of Passenger Rail Dawning? The Kiplinger Letter
An increased focus on rail travel has ushered in several major new projects.
To help you understand what is going on in the transportation and infrastructure sector and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
Is a golden age of passenger rail dawning in the U.S.?
It’s possible, as an increased focus on rail travel has ushered in several major new projects. Part of the push comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law giving $66 billion to rail, with half of it already allocated, but there are some high-profile private projects, too.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In 2018, Brightline, a Florida-based company, opened the only privately owned and operated intercity U.S. railroad, with service from Miami to West Palm Beach. It recently expanded with a new $6 billion line to Orlando. And soon the company will break ground on the first dedicated high-speed passenger rail line in the U.S. — Brightline West — connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
The feds are considering a high-speed line for the Portland-Seattle-Vancouver corridor. It could be a public-private project. Amtrak is proposing a Dallas-to-Houston route with trains going 205 miles per hour.
Still, challenges can be daunting for new rail lines. California has struggled with cost overruns and delays for its state-funded Los Angeles-to-San Francisco line.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related stories
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Sean Lengell covers Congress and government policy for The Kiplinger Letter. Before joining Kiplinger in January 2017 he served as a congressional reporter for eight years with the Washington Examiner and the Washington Times. He previously covered local news for the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune. A native of northern Illinois who spent much of his youth in St. Petersburg, Fla., he holds a bachelor's degree in English from Marquette University.
-
Stock Market Today: The Dow Leads an Up Day for Stocks
Boeing, American Express and Nike were the best Dow stocks to close out the week.
By Karee Venema Published
-
Black Friday Deals: Are They Still Worth It in 2024?
Is Black Friday still the best day for deals? We share top tips for smart holiday shopping.
By Jacob Wolinsky Published
-
Will lower mortgage rates bring relief to the housing market?
The Kiplinger Letter As mortgage rates slowly come down here's what to expect in the housing market over the next year or so.
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
Car Prices Are Finally Coming Down
The Kiplinger Letter For the first time in years, it may be possible to snag a good deal on a new car.
By David Payne Published
-
New Graduates Navigate a Challenging Labor Market
The Kiplinger Letter Things are getting tough for new graduates. Job offers are drying up and the jobless rate is increasing. Are internships the answer?
By David Payne Last updated
-
QCDs Are a Tax-Smart Way for Retirees To Donate to Charity
The Tax Letter With QCDs, retirees can save on taxes by making donations from their IRAs directly to charity. Here's what you need to know about qualified charitable distributions.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
How to Beat Soaring Home and Auto Insurance Premiums
The Kiplinger Letter What’s behind the insurance price hikes, and what to do about them?
By Rodrigo Sermeño Published
-
How to Navigate an Extra-Busy Summer Travel Season
The Kiplinger Letter Tips for beating the exceptional crowds expected this year and keeping your vacation budget manageable.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
Tax Tips for Transferring Excess 529 Plan Funds to Roth IRAs: The Tax Letter
The Tax Letter 529 plans can help blunt the cost of paying for college. But if you want to use leftover funds there are some tax tips to bear in mind.
By Joy Taylor Published
-
When's the Best Time to Buy a Domestic Flight? The Kiplinger Letter
The Kiplinger Letter A new study by CheapAir.com has crunched the numbers.
By Sean Lengell Published